Summer in Utah means heading to the lake for waterskiing, fishing, and swimming, but there's one lake that's not safe right now.
Utah Lake is a popular place for summer recreation, but right now some areas of it are not safe for the public.
A recent blue-green algal bloom has spread from Provo Bay to other areas of the lake, including Utah Lake State Park, Sandy Beach and Lincoln Marina. The public is warned to stay away from those areas.
Cyanobacteria, more commonly known as blue-green algae, thrives under certain weather conditions.
When the weather is warm and sunny, and the water is calm, cyanobacteria thrives and grows rapidly. While a small amount of the bacteria isn't harmful, larger algal blooms are dangerous to humans and animals.
This kind of algae is toxic to your liver, and may even cause cancer.
If your pets come into contact with the algae, it can be fatal. Signs of exposure in humans included headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. If you suspect that you've been exposed to algae on Utah Lake, you're urged to seek medical attention.
Utah Lake is large, covering a surface area of 95,000 acres, and not all of it is affected by the algae.
Feel free to enjoy the rest of the lake, but keep an eye out for signs that warn you about areas that have tested positive for for large amounts of the algae.
While you should definitely avoid Utah Lake right now, there are many other great Utah lakes for recreation. Check out this lake that will make you feel as though you're on a vacation in the Caribbean.
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